One of Aman Resort’s two stunning, Indian properties, the award-winning Aman-i-Khás, is located in Rasjasthan, set in a rugged brushwood forest on the edge of Ranthambore National Park.

Home to tigers, crocodiles, leopards, jackals, sambar deer and some 300 species of bird, the park is also the setting for Ranthambore Fort, one of India’s oldest, dotted with Hindu temples, former palaces and reservoirs.

Once the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur, the park has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1955 and is one of the best places to see tigers in the wild, with newborn cubs being spotted in 2015 increasing the population to over 60. Aman-i-Khás offers exhilarating, twice daily, tiger-tracking safaris in open-top vehicles, relaxed camel safaris through local villages, and bird-watching treks in the lush Banas riverbed.

Harking back to the regal tent cities of Mughal emperors, the lamp-lit Dining Tent features a large communal round table and smaller intimate tables, and offers both Western and Indian cuisine.

Meals can be tailored to suit your tastes, with the daily changing menu reflecting seasonal produce sourced from the camp’s organic garden. A picnic hamper on safari or a private bush dinner in a secluded spot with a private chef and local musicians are extraordinary experiences, as is an after-dinner cocktail at the camp fireplace, soaking in the serenity of the wilderness and the star-filled sky.

The Spa’s two treatment rooms offer holistic therapies including traditional Ayurvedic treatments alongside massages, Reiki, scrubs, wraps and baths. Group and private outdoor yoga sessions are offered in a range of styles at isolated spots within the Rajasthani wilderness to encourage peace and unity. After yoga, soak in an aromatic bath made with herbs from the organic garden, in the comfort of your own tent, or relax pool side taking in the beautiful view.

As anyone who has ever stayed in an Aman resort knows, a stay with this luxury hotel group is always an enchanting experience of wellness, tranquility and soulful exploration. Aman-i-Khás is no exception, and is a peaceful retreat connected with both history and nature, that will soothe, delight, and revitalize body, mind, and soul.

On Saturday evening during NYFW, a bevy of the world’s most beautiful girls turned out to support the Knotonmyplanet campaign launch, according to DailyMail.com.

Models including Karlie Kloss, Naomi Campbell, Doutzen Kroes, Emily Ratajkowski, Joan Smalls, Martha Hunt, Sara Sampaio and Jasmine Tookes showed their support for the campaign, which aims to prevent the slaughter of elephants.

Knotonmyplanet’s passionate spokesperson, Doutzen, who recently visited Kenya, told Vanity Fair, ‘We have to raise awareness that ivory should not be a product anymore. It’s something that should be looked at that is disgusting.’

‘Elephants are being slaughtered just for that, just for their tusks, and just being left. It’s such a sad thing to see and to even think about.’

She urged friends to pledge their support by tying knots in photos and videos on their social media platforms, and spread awareness of the Elephant Crisis Fund.

Models such as Miranda Kerr, Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Emily Ratajkowski, Cara Delevingne and Adriana Lima have already participated with Emily posting on her Instagram: ‘30,000 elephants slaughtered in a year? #knotonmyplanet. Please go online now to knotmyplanet.org to donate and share an image of YOU tying your knot.’

The original 90’s “supers,” Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell have also joined the campaign, posing for #knotonmyplanet and Patrick Demarchelier by posing reunited, wrapped in a big bow.

#knotonmyplanet is a campaign to support the Elephant Crisis Fund, encouraging us all to tie a knot and share to raise awareness of elephant poaching. 100% of every donation supports a coalition of vetted organizations focused on one goal: to Save Elephants Now.

A lot has changed with brands, designers, and fashion over all. The ever-changing world looks to social media to form opinions and revolutions. Who wouldn’t want a brand that speaks for what they stand for, and their ethics? This Fall fashion gives back with these amazing brands who share the same passion for fashion as well as our communities! Sometimes you feel a little delicate and so does our planet. This is what I call the “Paperdoll,” (build an outfit):

“Lur, the brand that creates products from 100% recycled materials, gives back to the communities where we work and pays fair wages to those who make our clothing.” This scarf is layers of recycled tees making it a conversation piece that’s sure to turn heads. This scarf is essential to taking any outfit and giving it an extra laid-back, earthy, chill boost.

Toms, a popular name in the giving back. TOMS offers brand new, made-to-order shoes in a variety of styles to meet the needs of the children our Giving Partners serve.
These tasseled and dotted booties are trendy new shoe for Fall 2016!

Lovethirteen’s message implicates passion and positivity, “Each bead and pendant is intended to foster and inspire spiritual growth, while the chains serve as a playful reminder of life’s hard edges.” This handmade piece is just the touch this Fall look needs!

Reformation, a brand that uses sustainable fabrics and vintage elements while diverting green throughout their supply chain and creates beautiful styles at a fraction of the environmental impact of conventional fashion. Reformation set a trend with it’s innovative ideas and classic looks. This LBD is thinking green this Fall! From the unique neckline to the knitted buttons this look captures a flirtatious and flawless little black dress!

Fast fashion has come into our world of consumerism and has quickly taken ahold with our everyday practice of buy more, save more – a mantra that first began with the high savings super-stores that bring the global market to everyone’s doorstep with seemingly affordable prices for everything under the sun – a practice that soon became a part of the fashion world in order to bring a seasonal, trend driven market to every household, enticing fashionistas everywhere to buy, buy, buy!

A trend to let us keep up with the trends soon became the rising star and nearly everyone bought in. Giant bags of low-priced and often on-clearance styles (due to mass turnover and over-production) left giant storefronts in enthusiastic march to become closet-clutter-mashups compiled of everything the owners forgot they ever had, thanks to over-consumerism. These were the first days when we started accepting low-craftsmanship, high industrial pollution, low humanitarian, ethical working standards, and a surge in consumption and waste production rates as acceptable norms. BUY MORE, WASTE MORE, BE MORE…WHATERVER THAT MEANS.

Fast fashion – once a downfall of fashion expressionism altogether due to misguided consumer demand and short-sighted shareholders, has now begun to transform into the new dawn of the style world; the forward progression of conscious-consumerism and ethical production practices of the 21st century which will undoubtedly change the way we see the face of fashion forever.

We have finally come to realize that the past mode of fashion is not only heavier on the collective wallet in the long-run but also far more damaging to our environment and poor working nations than we had been falsely led to believe. We have come to resist the pragmatism of the past eras and revolt against a set system (as we humans often love to do), and begin to reshape our world (in fashion or otherwise) in many creative and conscious ways. One example of this change is BeeZee EcoLand, a label that is aware of its impact in every aspect of their business practices, even at the cost of profitability. I recently chat with Bianca Zvorc Morris about her post-traumatic creation, unique and proactive rather than ‘cookie cutter’ and reactive in its model; an approach which lends to the brand’s very unique personality in many ways.

A brand that is truly noteworthy due to the wisdom and empathetic nature of its founder-designer, who above all else makes it her life’s mission to stay true to her ideals as an eco-preneur. In our discussions, the veteran PR executive turned designer and clean-living advocate had this to say:

BZM: While living in NYC in 2009 the economic crisis moved to the EU and a lot of women I know lost their jobs in the textile industry in my birth town in Slovenia. I wanted to do something more in tune with my general ethical convictions and start a project that would use all of my skills to help others and make this planet a better place for all of us. In 2010 we moved to Germany and I got a job in an advertising agency working as an AD/CD [advertising director/creative director for H&M, C&A and Zara. That was the first time I learned how “fast fashion” is toxic and harmful. I left my job and started focusing on BeeZee EcoLand, a project that is supporting three single mothers in Slovenia with earned income.

Coco Eco: Your business model is designed with growth projections purposefully mindful of your brand’s mission as geared towards your personal purpose; why did you choose this model for your brand?

All of my life I was interested in ecology and a healthy, compassionate lifestyle. I like to think global, but wanted to act local. My time on Earth is short so I want to help and make this planet better for all of us – especially the future generations that are inheriting what is unfortunately a truly sad planet. My biggest happiness in life (and a privilege) is to be able to help others – especially children, animals and nature. When I learned about the cruelty and dangers behind fast fashion I had to do something. The topic has received some, but unfortunately not nearly enough, attention in the media. Organic fabrics with the lowest carbon foot print do not cause sickness in people or wildlife with herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, GMO seeds. Fair-trade where people get paid well and work in truly safe conditions were extremely important to me. Only happy people can make clothes that are full of positive energy and love – I like to think they work as a protection shield in many ways for those who wear them.

Coco Eco: How much of an impact, in your opinion, does the dying process of textiles have on the environment?

BZM: The chemicals that we use to produce dyes are highly toxic, carcinogenic or even explosive! Chemical Aniline in AZO dyes are considered to be deadly poisons. Other harmful chemicals are dioxin (hormone disrupter), toxic heavy metals (chrome, zinc, copper…) and formaldehyde that is a carcinogen. They are dangerous for dye workers, cause environmental pollution around these facilities (dump water) [mainly] in underground water – many people in the undeveloped world even drink this kind of water – and the chemicals are not safe for those who wear these clothes – the final consumer!Coco Eco:Why did you choose Slovenia for your production?

BZM: After the economic melt-down made by Wall Street crushed the EU, things went bad and greedy individuals took advantage of the situation and set back the economy and spirit of Slovenia. My seamstresses were laid off from high quality textile factories employing thousands of people who made [high end] clothes. I wanted to give back to and help my people.

Coco Eco: What are some of the types of fabrics you use and why?

BZM: We carry fair-trade and organic certifications, and the coloring has to be either natural, water based or non-toxic, so the selection of fabrics is more narrow. Probably the most sustainable, versatile and incredibly beautiful is OFT Hemp – the magical central European traditional fabric my granny used to grow before plastics took over Europe – processed with modern machines and made into softer new fabrics. I am also a huge fan of bamboo transparent fabrics and bamboo silks.

Coco Eco: What would you like to see more of in the fashion industry?

BZM: Actually, let me [use] some quotes [from Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, respectively] that pretty much answer that question: “If you wear clothes that don’t suit you, you’re a fashion victim.” I am obsessed with that in my designing process. I love form and functionality, fashion for [the sake of] fashion drives me nuts. “I just use fashion as an excuse to talk about politics. Because I’m a fashion designer, it gives me a voice, which is really good.” In my case I use fashion to try and stop social and economic injustices, and to educate the masses. “People have never looked so ugly as they do today. We just consume far too much.” I despise fast fashion and what it does to people and our planet. Twelve tons of clothes are thrown in the garbage per year, in the USA alone! That is insane. “Everyone can do simple things to make a difference, and every little bit really does count.” Even if you spend only $5 on something you buy, something good or something cruel, think before you buy. “As a designer, I like to work with fabrics that don’t bleed; that’s why I avoid all animal skins and parts.”

Coco Eco: How important do you think it is for entrepreneurs to have a conscious perspective in their ventures?

BZM: In today’s dark times for our planet – wildlife destruction, deforestation, water shortages, over population, social injustices, climate change – it should be EVERYBODY’S PRIORITY. Sadly, greed for profits and willful ignorance often dominate the fashion industry. We have only one planet that is dying fast and money will be worthless when our planet is a desert littered [and] toxic.

He’s a Soul Man. A man who truly believes in the power of giving hope, and hope he gives to thousands of people all around the country, and the globe.

Many of us know the front-man Jon Bon Jovi from the 80’s rock and roll “hairband” Bon Jovi, or as an Oscar nominated actor in films such as Armageddon, Stand Up Guys, or Pain and Gain. His rock anthems have crossed decades and are virtually known the world over. He is by far one of the most celebrated and well-rounded legends of rock, but what’s interesting about him is what’s behind the scenes the sex, drugs, and rock and roll persona of his celebrity. What’s best about Jon is his can-do attitude and his giving nature.

Born John Francis Bongiovi Jr., it’s no secret Jon is a Jersey Boy. So it’s no surprise that much of what he has undertaken in his philanthropic endeavors focuses on the Northeast region of this country.

With his giving hands in many baskets, Jon and his wife Dorothea Bongiovi created and maintain the JBJ Soul Foundation, originally known as the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football League (AFL), which launched in 2004 and was founded by Bon Jovi and Craig A. Spencer, but underwent a name change in August of 2009 making it the current day organization. This is a foundation which focuses on “bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need ONE SOUL AT A TIME.”

The foundation of their dedication is to help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by combating “the issues which force families and individuals into economic despair.”

It is no wonder then, that this year Bon Jovi is set to be honored by the Clinton Foundation as the awardee of the Clinton Global Citizen Award on September 19th, 2016, marking a great year to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of JBJSF itself as well. Bon Jovi said, “There are so many wonderful causes and so many passionate people that are addressing them. We have been inspired by so many of our in-need neighbors who have come seeking help;” with Dorothea adding, “This is happening across our nation,” she said. “When there’s 15 percent of children going to be hungry at night in a nation like ours, that’s not an issue it takes a scientist to solve,” Bon Jovi concluded.

Currently, he and Dorothea are hard at work with several initiatives which aid and educate the public in the relief and prevention of poverty. Through the creation of JBJ Soul Kitchen and now the extended partnerships with the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, The Peoples Pantry and the David Tepper Charitable Foundation to provide $5 million in services to needy families in the B.E.A.T. (Bringing Everyone All Together) Center’s first year of operation. This partnership with local charities and fellow wealthy philanthropists to create B.E.A.T. has brought to the community a one stop hub for nutritional assistance, healthcare, and culinary related job training (opened in May of 2016 in Tom’s River, New Jersey). JBJ and team have successfully helped feed thousands of folks otherwise unable to provide nutritionally sound meals for themselves; in a shore town ravaged by Superstorm Sandy back in Oct. of 2012; a township still struggling to rebuild. However, the center was created to offset a need which according to Bon Jovi “predated” the storm’ wrath of destruction. In this place, an unfortunate one in five residences live in poverty, and the need for assistance is widespread and crippling.

JBJ Soul Kitchen is perhaps one of the most unique and inviting restaurants in the world. Their motto, ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR TABLE, is truly withstanding. With 54, 653 meals served, and a menu lacking prices, the organization hopes to bring to all people good food, made well, and served with “dignity”. No other work can be better since we all know that without dignity, all else is likely lost. In this farm-to-table eatery instead of set cash commodity, patrons are asked to either make a minimum donation to cover the cost of their own meals or larger donations to help offset the cost of meals for those who can only enjoy sustainable nutrition through volunteering. Only one hour of volunteer time will cover each meal consumed per day, and volunteering can lead to qualifying for job training which is integral to combating poverty and plight. As of date only 40% of meals served are earned volunteer meals and 60% are paid with donations, showing the steadfast support the program is receiving from the communities in which it is organized. Dedicated to “eliminating hunger, building relationships, and celebrating community,” JBJ Soul Kitchen has two locations in Red Bank and Tom’s River New Jersey, serving hope with every three course American regional cuisine plated to the public. With special celebrity chefs like Mario Batali and Tom Colicchio, HOPE IS DELICIOUS!

Additionally, Bon Jovi is working to end homelessness through JBJ Soul Homes which has created subsidized low-income housing as far away as South Africa. Currently, in conjunction with Project H.O.M.E. and People for People Inc., JBJSH has donated $20 million to build a 55-unit permanent low-income housing for adults in Philadelphia, including units dedicated to young adults, all of which are fully furnished. This repurposed and modernized building not only helps provide housing for those in need, but also helps to revive a community and sustain a local charity with its 12,477 square feet of retail space leased to help support People for People Inc.

Alongside being honored at the GCA, Bon Jovi will be also be performing, as well as Andrea Bocelli. “This House is Not for Sale”, Bon Jovi’s new album will be released October 21st of 2016, and promises a whole lot of soul.

It’s the last long weekend of summer, and friends and events beckon as we get ready to welcome fall. When choosing our wardrobe, we embrace fringe, tribal elements, and autumnal shades of grey, supporting brands that give back, and looking fabulous as we celebrate a little Labor Day love.

Handmade in South Africa, Kenya and Morocco, Brother Vellies creates boots, shoes and sandals in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts, while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs.

Handmade by skilled artists in North Hollywood, Cordero not only brings the Old World art of handmade artisan quality footwear, handbags and accessories back to the United States, two trees are also planted through Trees For the Future, for every piece sold.

Amy DiGregorio donates necklaces to charities throughout the year including Foundation To Be Named Later {FTBNL}, which raises funds and awareness for non-profit agencies, working on the front lines, serving disadvantaged youth in the Greater Boston area. Handmade in Santa Barbara, CA, with love.

Inspired by Africa’s transition from being considered the ‘dark continent’ to the ‘bearer or light’, Bantu Wax was created to merge the rich history of African art and textiles with Africa’s deeply rooted surf culture. Using tales of the mermaid goddess of the ocean, Mami Wata, and a passion for surfing, the collection features rich, colorful prints and patterns for swimwear. Brilliant repeats, graphic patterns and floral motifs adorn the simple clean lines of the swimwear, using the swimsuit as a blank canvas to showcase the brilliance of African art.The Bantu collection is made entirely in Africa by Africans. Making the collection sustainably and fairly is a founding principle of the brand. Bantu Wax are a symbol of the change in Africa, and one of a range of talented designers, artists and musicians finally coming to the attention of the world. An exuberance of chaotic, serenity, modern, urban, ancient, sacred, and sexy, the brand, much like Africa itself, will not be contained, pigeon holed or labeled!Bantu works with traditional processes with local vendors and artisans in Africa to make their quality swimwear and accessories for women and men. The collection appeals to the burgeoning number of Africans (over half a billion) under the age of twenty years of age. Africa is the future. The line is designed for authentic surfers, as well as urban nomads and afro-punks alike.